A still image from a video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service shows the launch of a ballistic missile. Image ANP / EPA
According to the Kremlin, two ballistic missiles were fired: one from the Plesetsk launch site in Russia’s far east, the other from a submarine in the Barents Sea. So-called Tu-95MS long-range bombers also took part in the exercises.
Just hours before the exercise, the Federation Council, Russia’s Senate, had given the green light to withdraw ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which bans all nuclear testing. The decision will now go to Putin for signature, who has already indicated that he agrees with the step.
Moscow points out that a number of other nuclear-armed countries, including the United States and China, have signed the treaty but never ratified it. As a result, the treaty never entered into force.
Despite the withdrawal of ratification, Russia appears not to be planning to resume its nuclear tests for the time being. Moscow has hinted that it will only do so if the United States conducts new nuclear tests.
Nuclear muscle show
The strategic forces exercise is part of the nuclear show of muscle that Russia has been showing recently. Nationalist Russian politicians regularly threaten to use nuclear weapons against the West. At the same time, the authorities repeatedly report tests of new missiles for the Russian nuclear arsenal.
Earlier this month, Putin said that Russia had successfully tested the ‘Boerevestnik’, a new nuclear-powered cruise missile that can also carry a nuclear warhead. Thanks to the nuclear propulsion, the cruise missile can remain in the air for a long time before hitting its target.
Another experiment with the Boerevestnik (Stormbird) reportedly ended in an explosion four years ago, releasing nuclear material and killing five scientists.
Russian authorities also recently announced that the new Sarmat super-heavy ballistic missile, which Russia has been working on since 2013, is close to entering service. According to Russian analysts, the introduction of the missile, which can carry ten nuclear warheads, will dramatically change the world’s nuclear balance.
However, Western specialists doubt whether the Sarmat is ready to replace the Vojevoda, an older continental ballistic missile of the Russians. According to them, the last test with the rocket failed at the beginning of this year.
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2023-10-25 20:03:53
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